Hanoi to Danang – Phong Nha Caves Adventure

Approx. 200km Although the traffic in Hanoi gets really busy, we'll start at the edge of the city and quickly leave the traffic behind and enter the countryside towns to the south. After a couple of hours of small towns and farmland, we’ll be able to see the mountains ahead As we enter the area of the White Thai tribe, we’ll stop for some hill tribe style lunch in a traditional wooden-framed building. As the road twists through the jungle-covered mountain, we’ll continue further into the mountains. We’ll stop at the top of White Rock Mountain for a stunning view across the Mai Chau Valley, set amongst small villages of wooden stilt houses and traditional farming families. There, we can watch the sunset over the rice paddies and mountains.

Approx. 300km We start the day by heading down the valley through the small villages and farms and passing through the chopstick-making village of Co Luong. Next is a ride through Pu Luong National Park, with incredible stepped rice paddy terraces up steep cliffs and thick bamboo forest. Following that, we’ll join the Ho Chi Minh Trail going south through rolling hills and peaceful farmland and stop for a local style lunch at one of many roadside rest areas. Along the coast are find beautiful beaches, countless shrimp farms, and small fishing villages As we get to Vinh city we’ll finish at our hotel relaxing by the pool.

Vinh to Phong Nha National Park Approx. 210km We start with tanks, missiles, planes and other military vehicles parked up at the Vinh museum and from here we’ll head to Dong Loc junction, the official start of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Following the trail, you can see all types of countryside and farming styles in the small villages. We’ll stop for a local style Lunch on the lake and then continue along the Ho Chi Minh trail. The road starts to climb into the mountains and eventually reaches the limestone karst formation mountains that mark the edge of Phong Nha national park. Finishing our ride with some of the most amazing mountain scenery in Vietnam, we will reach the Farmstay in time to watch the sunset over the rice paddies.

Phong Nha Adventure Day (Phong Nha Farmstay) Approx. 100km or can book any 1-day Phong Nha based activity. Today is a full day to explore Phong Nha National Park, riding through magnificent limestone karst mountains and pristine jungle. You can explore the Khe Gat runway strip, hidden in the mountains and walk a whole km through the Paradise Cave, one of the most beautiful underground environments in the world. This is a great chance to ride along the famous Victory Road which was so crucial to the Vietnamese war effort. Later, a boat trip takes us along the beautiful Con river into the Phong Nha Cave. Finally, it’s back to the Farmstay to watch the sunset over the rice paddies with an ice cold beer!

Approx. 250km We follow the historic Victory Road through the jungle and out towards the Laos border through Phong Nha National Park, a UNESCO Heritage area of natural beauty. Next, we’ll join the Ho Chi Minh Trail West road. One of the best roads in Asia for bikers, this road should be on everyone’s bucket list. As we come to the start of the giant limestone Karst formation mountains we can stop for lunch in a small hill tribe town. in the seemingly endless mountains and jungle, you can see small wooden stilt house villages where the tribes live a peaceful traditional style. After that is an 1100 meter climb over a mountain pass in untouched jungle followed by a visit to the Khe Sanh combat base. The longest battle of all the wars in Vietnam took place here and we can see tanks, helicopters, and planes still sitting on the runway as well as a small museum. Finally, just a short ride through the coffee farms brings us to Lao Bao.

Approx. 240km We begin by following Route 9 past the remains of many US Bases and out of the mountains and start to cross the DMZ itself, now covered in rubber plantations and pine trees. We’ll visit the 17th Parallel marker and see the famous Hien Luong bridge. Heading down to the coast, you’ll get a chance to see the incredible underground tunnel network at Vinh Moc village. The entire village lived underground for 8 years to escape the American bombing! A truly amazing place. Following that will be a local style lunch at Vinh Moc and then we’ll track the coast through small fishing villages and aqua-farming ponds. After crossing the beautiful Tam Giang lagoon, we’ll take the small back roads into Hue city where a cold beer awaits us at the hotel!

approx. 120km Begin the day with a visit to the imperial citadel of Hue, a UNESCO world heritage site, and home to the last emperors of Vietnam. Heading out of the city, you’ll quickly find yourself back in endless rice paddies and riding small roads through the countryside where you can see the massive square fishing nets spread across the giant Tam Giang lagoon system. Afterwards, we’ll visit the City of Ghosts, Vietnam’s most luxurious cemetery followed by lunch on the beach. Next is a real treat: a short ride down the beautiful Lang Co bay brings us to the incredible Hai Van Pass, where 21 kilometers of sweeping bends over 500 meters of jungle-covered mountain gives us the most amazing coastal views in central Vietnam. Finally, it’s back to base for a cold beer!